Rathayibacter tritici

Rathayibacter tritici is a species of bacteria in the genus Rathayibacter, which is part of the family Microbacteriaceae. This bacterium is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming organism. It is known to cause spike blight in wheat and other cereal crops.

Taxonomy

The genus Rathayibacter was first described in 1980 by Zgurskaya et al. The genus name is derived from the Latin rathayi (of Rathay, a New Zealand plant pathologist) and bacter (a rod), referring to the rod-shaped morphology of the bacteria. The species Rathayibacter tritici was first described in 1984 by Riley and McKay.

Morphology

Rathayibacter tritici is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. It is non-spore-forming and has a high G+C content in its DNA. The cells are typically 0.5-0.8 µm in width and 1.5-3.0 µm in length.

Pathogenicity

Rathayibacter tritici is a plant pathogen that causes spike blight in wheat and other cereal crops. The bacterium is transmitted by the nematode Anguina tritici, which infests the wheat spikes and allows the bacterium to enter the plant tissues. The disease can cause significant yield losses in affected crops.

Control

Control of Rathayibacter tritici is primarily through the use of resistant wheat varieties and management of the nematode vector. Crop rotation and the use of nematicides can also help to reduce the incidence of the disease.

See also

• List of bacterial genera named after personal names
• List of plant diseases